Ontario Jiu Jitsu & Grappling – Documenting PSO development

Background

In Canada there has been some federal legislation on what a “combat sport” is. By the loose terms used, some could classify BJJ as a combat sport. Each of our provinces is delegated to oversee the sanctioning of combat sports. Ontario itself has gone as far as enacting provincial legislation calling jiu jitsu a combat sport specifically, and requires that it is sanctioned (again specifically). BJJ has been essentially banned in Quebec for some time, and Ontario was well over the past year. Still some tournaments have operated without sanctioning in Ontario without any issues.

After following this for a long time and the recent PSO accepted I’ve been documenting what I have been seeing in as best of a non-biased way possible.

I dont have a good place to put it, so I may as well documented it here.

Ontario PSO Info

OJA Focus: Define Jiu Jitsu as a sport and renew as the official PSO for “jiu jitsu” in Ontario

How

Decided to align with JJIF international body (generally unknown to most or not regarded as an international body for “BJJ”)

Created a ‘Canadian’ Jiu jitsu Association. Unknown who the members are or what the mission/vision is.

Formed a Team Canada team for JJIF Worlds with only Ontario grapplers

Good:

JJIF newaza rules are nearly identical to IBJJF

Primary focus has been for Ontario’s need for a PSO for “jiu jitsu” (good and bad)

Bad:

– Since losing PSO have provide little to no information on future state plans

– Created a “Canadian” association with little to no input from other provinces.

– Formed a”Team Canada” with only Ontario grapplers.

– Only provided information re: Team Canada/Canadian Jiu Jitsu Association after a picture was shared on facebook by a team member. No formal information provided only those who had inside knowledge provided some details. There still has been NO formal announcement about this.

OGA

Focus: Renew as official PSO status for “grappling” in Ontario

How:

Aligned with UWW (fairly recognized as a internaitonal body for grappling and pankration, formely FILA Grappling)

UWW ruleset is somewhat similar to IBJJF for points for position advancement and submissions end matches

Bad:

Misled in interviews and multiple conversations regarding the ability to be able to run “normal” BJJ style tournaments, claiming ruleset is identical or BJJ rulesets would be allowed. Upon specific questions a formal response was given that only UWW rulesets will be allowed.

No IBJJF events

no submission only events

All referees will be required to go through training (for UWW ruleset)

3rd party for-profit company is managing sanctioning (unknown if any conflicts of interests exist between LUTA and OGA)

OGA Focus: New as official PSO status for “grappling” and “pankration” in Ontario

How: Aligned with CCA National Body that is aligned with UWW, IMMAF, CBJJD for grappling, pankration, MMA, BJJ respectively. Revamped documents and acquired PSO status for “grappling under CCA and UWW ruleset”

Good: Able to put on “grappling” and “pankration” events under UWW ruleset. UWW ruleset is somewhat similar to IBJJF for points for position advancement and submissions end matches Sanctioned past IBJJF event in Ontario Several submission only events All referees will be required to go through training (for UWW ruleset as in all other sports for their National and International Feds) 3rd party for-profit company is providing event booking, printing, promoting, branding services (not managing sanctioning) Proof has been filed by OGA to Ministry for permission to run “Pure BJJ” rules and is currently under review by Ministry.

BAD: “Misled in interviews and multiple conversations regarding the ability to be able to run “normal” BJJ style tournaments, claiming ruleset is identical or BJJ rulesets would be allowed. Upon specific questions a formal response was given that only UWW rulesets will be allowed.”

WHAT HAPPENED: Permitted by UWW, CBJJD, and CCA to run “Pure BJJ” rules prior to podcast. Ministry now insisting on only UWW – WGC Rules on UWW website after podcast.